MA Form — SEE CANADIAN CUSTOMS INVOICE.

Make Ready — SEE CAMERA READY.

Manual –– SEE SERVICE KIT.

Man Lift –– SEE FLYING CARPET, SCISSORS LIFT, GENIE LIFT.

Marine Insurance — Broadly, insurance covering loss or damage of goods at sea. Marine insurance will typically compensate the owner of merchandise for losses sustained from fire, shipwreck, piracy, and various other causes, but excludes losses that can be legally recovered from the carrier. Compare CREDIT RISK INSURANCE.

Marshalling Area — An area set-aside for the arranging of buses or trucks prior to the beginning of operations. Also known as marshalling yard.

Mask — To cover for painting or protection.

Masking Drape — A cloth used to cover storage or other unsightly areas.

Material Handling –– Services performed by General Service Contractor that includes delivery of exhibit materials from the dock to assigned space, removing empty crates, returning crates at end of show for re-crating, and delivering materials back to dock for carrier loading. It is a two-way charge, incoming and outgoing. FORMERLY KNOWN AS DRAYAGE.

Masonite — A trade name for commercial hardboard.

Matte — Lusterless surface.

MC Cable –– Flexible armored electrical cable accepted as insulated by most codes; two, three, or more wires available. Also known as AC Cable, or BX Cable.

Measurement Ton — A space measurement, usually 40 cubic feet or one cubic meter. The cargo is assessed a certain rate for every 40 cubic feet of space it occupies. Also known as the Cargo Ton or Freight Ton.

Mediation — Third-party attempt to reconcile the differences between disputing parties by finding some middle ground on which the controversy may be voluntarily settled. Similar to conciliation, but a mediator does not take an active part in discussions as a conciliator does.

Meter — The most common width for a backwall panel for any of the extruded systems. (1 meter = 39.37 inches).

Micarta — Trade name for plastic laminate.

Micro-Switch — A miniature switch opened and closed mechanically.

Minimum Call — Agreed upon minimum number of hours of work to be done by a worker under the labor agreement. In cases where the work to be done is shorter than the minimum call, the worker is guaranteed payment for the full minimum.

Minny — A van shipment weighing 500 pounds or less, for which the minimum charge is the 500 pound rate.

Mitre — The joint created when two pieces of material cut at equal angles butt together to form a comer.

Mobile — An art form suspended or balanced with freedom of movement.

Mock-Up — A full-scale model of proposed structure.

Model — An object made in miniature representing something to be made.

Models — A person stationed in an exhibit to demonstrate a product, provide attraction to booth or greet visitors. (Note: This term is falling into disuse.) See TALENT.

Modular — Structural elements that are interchangeable. Maximum flexibility in arrangement and size.

Module — A repeating element within an exhibit.

Mold — A material suitable for shaping anything in a fluid or plastic condition.

Mom-and-Pop — A small, family-owned. business

Move-In — Dates set for installation. ALSO KNOWN AS SET-UP.

Move-Out — Dates set for dismantling. ALSO KNOWN AS TEAR DOWN.

Multi-Purpose Facility — 1. A facility that can be reconfigured for another use. 2.  A building complex containing several different types of facilities, such as a convention center, arena, and theater.

Multimedia — Combining two or more types of audio/visual support in presentation.

Multiple-Story Exhibit — See DOUBLE-DECKER.

Music License — Control of the performance of musical compositions by the composers and authors through granting of a license to perform. Controlled by the copyright laws. SEE ASCAP, AND BMI

Muslin — Wide-loomed fabric used for ceiling artwork.

Mylar — A trade name for thin plastic material in sheets or tape, translucent and opaque.